THE EXPERIENCE
Everyone tells me they hate getting their picture taken. I love to change that.
TD:LR - You won’t be spending the day standing awkwardly, having your pictures taken, missing all the action. It’s your day and I want you to experience it whilst I document the tiny moments for you. Keep the group shots list small, give me 30 minutes with just the both of you, and go enjoy your day with your friends and family whilst I do my thing.
To me, this is the best job in the world. I am so lucky to make my living being surrounded by joyful, happy moments and being creative. I am extremely lucky to attract a certain type of couple who love my photography, feel like they can spend the day with me (and put up with my questionable chat), and trust me to give them amazing memories from one of the most important days of their lives. Every day I say that I am grateful for everything being a photographer has given me. Here’s the thing though, I’m not for everyone…read on.
Photography is a personal thing and it’s lovely when people chose me to handle documenting their wedding day. I’m here to tell the story of your day and I want to do the best job I can for you. My couples value photography. It’s not just something that is ticked off the list. If you just need “a photographer” and give me a long list of family pictures to take then I’m probably not the photographer for you. It’s the only thing that is left after the wedding day is over apart from a dress covered in spilled wine. Going cheap on your photography rarely works out well and I’ve heard it so many times over the years when I’m at weddings and get chatting to guests. I put the effort in. I love you guys, and I want to hang out with you and your guests and talk about favourite tv shows (any crime documentary thank you). I meet all my couples before their wedding day and that’s important. I want to know you and want you to know me. We’re collaborating so these catch ups are a chance to chat over anything and everything, help keep things stress-free on the day and give you those sweet sweet memories.
“I found working with you a dream. I was happy to see you arrive. Felt completely comfortable, relaxed and in safe hands in your presence. Honestly, just felt like you were a good friend. When you arrived it felt like the day properly kicked off and got started. I didn’t think you got in the way at all. We missed you when you’d gone.”
On the day I get stuck in, I talk to people, I enjoy myself! I make myself like a guest. This is what allows me to get these types of pictures. By getting stuck in and mingling in among guests, they get used to me. If I’m sneaking around, people notice me and see that I’m sneaking about, making them feel instantly awkward but by being just like a guest, I’m able to get pictures of people at their most relaxed. I love what I do and I hope that it feeds onto others when they are around me.
I describe my work as a relaxed modern approach to traditional wedding photography. Gone are the days of stuffy old bossy photographers telling you exactly where to stand and how to look. Almost the entire day is unstaged, unposed and completely natural. I’m not spending time perfecting things and fluffing out dresses to make things look perfect. 90% of the time I’m just looking for some nice light, creative angles and special moments that show the emotions of the day. The other 10% is given to family formal pictures and some alone time with you guys as a freshly married couple. Read more about this part below…
THE COUPLE’S SHOOT
Here’s where the other 10% takes place. On wedding days, time is precious. There’s a lot going on and I want your photography to fit seamlessly into your day and most of all, when the day is over, I want you to think back about the time you spent away from guests (with me) with positivity. Enjoying your photography experience is just as important as the photos themselves.
All I need is around 30 minutes spread throughout the day with you both where we spend that time away from guests looking for nice light. We take a wander and chat about everything and anything. I keep it fun, and upbeat and I promise not to do anything cheesy. It’s just not my thing.
If possible, I’ll split this into 2 sessions. 10-15 minutes before dinner and then 10-15 minutes when the light is starting to fade. If we’re lucky to get a nice sunset, you better believe this is when you’ll see me get really excited but ultimately, I want you to spend as much time enjoying your day with your guests as possible.
I'm lucky that I have such amazing couples contact me. They tend to be happy relaxed people and see the value and importance of good photography.
I love hearing about wedding ideas, and family dynamics and if you're having a dog at your wedding then we're off to a flying start.
My diary is now open for 2025/2026 bookings.
I would love to hear from you and about your wedding plans, ping me an email by filling out the Contact Form.
What Does A Typical Day Look Like
Here’s how a typical day would look for a 2pm Ceremony. (Although I’m a huge advocate for a 1pm ceremony)
11am - I arrive at morning prep. It sounds really early but it really helps everyone ease into having their picture taken. I don’t stick a camera in people’s faces straight away. I may start with some simple detail shots or just take some time to chat with you and your friends/family. This part of the day is almost 100% documentary, with no posing. I might ask for 1 minute’s worth of pics of you when you’re fully ready if time allows, but that’s it.
1.30pm - I’ll head off to the ceremony venue shortly before you to make sure I’m there and ready for you arriving.
2pm - The Ceremony, you’re doing your thing and I’m doing mine.
2.45pm - You’re married! Everyone is hugging, smiling, and congratulating you guys. I’m there to catch all the moments.
3pm - We quickly go through the family formal photographs. Now, this is an important bit. I get asked a lot about these. Family groups pics are very important. I photograph weddings the way I would want mine to be photographed and I certainly don’t want to be standing in one spot for hours with a conveyor belt of distant relatives jumping in and out for photos. If you’re looking to have a big list of groups then it’s unlikely I’m the photographer for you. Of course, mums and dads, gran and grandpa, the bridal party, etc are no bother at all and I shoot these as relaxed as possible. I advise around 8-10 group pics is ideal and allow about 20-30 minutes for these.
3.30pm - Let’s go and take some pics of you guys as a freshly married couple. We’ll go for a walk, pick a nice spot and hang out for 20 mins. Nothing too stiff or awkward. Simplicity wins every time. *sometimes I might swap the couples session to before the group shots.*
3.50/4pm - Go enjoy time with your guests whilst I mingle and capture more moments. I’ll grab some detail shots of the reception set up too.
5pm - Guests are sat for dinner and speeches commence.
5.45-7pm - Dinner. I’ll usually take a break here and grab some dinner too, and then usually grab some more venue details and perhaps scout some locations for the post dinner shoot. Speaking of post dinner shoots…
7pm-8pm - If the light is right, I’ll ask to take you guys for another 10 minutes or so for some more pictures in the sweet light. This is often the best part of the day. You guys are relaxed as the pressure of the day eases and you get some quiet time together. During this hour I’ll take more guest candids and set my lights up for the dancing.
8pm Onwards - The first dance. Whether it’s a slow dance or a flashdance, I’m there for it. Then I’m there to catch everyone else join you and party the night away. There are no strict time limits but I’m often there for around an hour of dancing.
Easy as that!
In a nutshell, you’re marrying your best friend and having a great time with your family and friends and I’m there to document it. I’m not there to run the day and tell everyone what to do, I’m there to let you have a stress-free, enjoyable day and give you memories to look back on for a lifetime.
